PA Officials Concerned About E-Cigarettes

PA Officials Concerned About E-Cigarettes

Pennsylvania and 39 other states ask FAA to regulate currently unregulated e-cigarettes.

ALTOONA - Pennsylvania is joining 39 other states and asking the Food and Drug Administration to take a close look at e-cigarettes.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane signed a letter to the FDA with attorney generals from across the country.

Unlike conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are designed to deliver nicotine without smoke or tar. They're currently not regulated by the FDA, so it's not clear how safe they are.

"Some may have a lot of nicotine and others may not," said pulmonary specialist, Dr. George Zlupko. "I think the FDA will step in and regulate these products not just as a novelty, but also as an actual medical device."

Some say they use e-cigarettes as a way to cut down or eliminate smoking all-together.

Others, such as the 40 states urging the FDA to regulate e-cigarettes, say they could do just the opposite and get people hooked on nicotine.

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